The latest news to come out of the global plastic revolution campaign is Kenya’s announcement of a ban on single-use plastics in the country’s protected areas.
Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta announced the ban, which will go into effect on 5 June 2020.
It’s not very surprising that Kenya is taking progressive measures to reduce plastic pollution. The East African nation has been a pioneer among 40 other countries that committed to fighting pollution in the oceans two years ago, and this ban on single-use plastics follows two years after the country banned the manufacturing and sale of harmful plastics, polyethylene and harmful single-use plastic packaging materials.
According to Tourism Update, however, this particular ban follows an enquiry by Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority, which raised concerns about re-introducing the use of plastic bags.
As of early June, all visitors to beaches, national parks, forests and conservation areas will be banned from bringing in the following:
– water bottles
– plastic plates
– plastic cups
– plastic eating utensils.
Airlines servicing routes via Kenya have already shown their support by informing flyers on their respective flights about the new ban.
It is not the first time Kenya has come out ahead of other African countries. Kenya swooped up numerous top accolades at the World Tourism Awards Africa ceremony in Mauritius just last week and received, among other worthy commendations, the award for ‘Africa’s Leading Destination’ as well as ‘Africa’s Leading Tourist Board’.
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